"Unconstitutional": Team Thackeray's Charge Against Bid To Split Sena In Lok Sabha Too

After taking away bulk of the MLAs with him to become Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde now moving towards a minimum two-third split among MPs

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant, still firmly in a stunted Team Thackeray, today said the MPs who switch to the rival faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be "violating the Constitution".

Of the 19 MPs elected on the Shiv Sena's bow-and-arrow symbol, 12 may soon form a separate group in the Lok Sabha -- a situation not very different from that in the state assembly, where Uddhav Thackeray's government was dislodged in a mutiny within the Sena last month. Mr Sawant acknowledged the rebels' strength -- "about two-third MPs" -- but said Team Thackeray has the moral and legal position in its favour.

The pro-Shinde MPs have written to Speaker Om Birla, asking him to appoint Mumbai South Central MP Rahul Shewale as the Sena leader in the House. Having two-third strength means the anti-defection law won't apply. The group may also appoint a Chief Whip, that is, the leader authorised to issue binding voting directions to party MPs. Yavatmal MP Bhavana Gawli is likely to take that job. She was recently removed as Chief Whip by Uddhav Thackeray -- who remains the party boss officially -- for "anti-party activities". But the Speaker hasn't yet okayed her replacement. This means for her to be Chief Whip, nothing may even have to change officially.

Team Thackeray's Arvind Sawant had played down the move to remove Ms Gawli, saying that there was apprehension she would join the ruling BJP as she was on the radar of the central anti-corruption agencies.